Eighteen homes were evacuated in Carsphairn last Wednesday with one elderly resident requiring hospital treatment.

The early-morning rescue kick-started two days of emergency action and a massive clean-up operation.

The environment agency issued a red alert, indicating danger to life, and a massive response to the severe weather was launched by the council and emergency services.

Castle Douglas was hit hard when Carlingwark Loch burst its banks, flooding part of the town.

Crocketford was also under water for a time although Dalbeattie and Kirkcudbright managed to avoid the worst of the crisis.

King Street in Castle Douglas was hit by the floods

A fire and rescue spokesperson said it was a “trying time” for everyone involved.

He added: “In Carsphairn two local appliances and a water rescue boat were mobilised to a large area of flood water at Greenhead Mains with the flooding affecting 30 houses.

“Crews immediately made contact with the householders providing support, reassurance and where required assistance with the ingress of water.

“A total of three persons from two separate properties were safely evacuated and this included an elderly female who was bed bound. She was taken to hospital as a precaution.

“During this incident the crews also carried out the rescue of persons trapped within their car due to rising floodwater.”

The village was cut off as the A713, which goes straight through Carsphairn, was inundated at various points along the route including at Parton. It only reopened fully the following day.

In the Glenkens there was serious flooding on the banks of Loch Ken. Homes and buildings were flooded in New Galloway, Parton and Crossmichael as the water level of the loch continued to rise.

Dalbeattie businesses in the Biggar Mill Industrial Estate suffered some flooding and homes on David Road came perilously close to going under as the town burn lapped at their back doors.

Community council chairman Erica Johnson said: “Social media was very useful to let people know what was happening.

“A few people thought that the council should have been doing more but Councillor Rob Davidson and many others were happy to lend a hand and get sandbags to where they were needed.

“David Road seemed to be the worst hit with the water rising right up to some of the back doors. Nobody had ever seen the water that high before.”

In Creetown there was flooding at the petrol station and garage which only reopened on Tuesday morning.

In Newton Stewart the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team and four fire engines, including an additional water rescue boat, were mobilised to severe localised flooding on the main street after the partial collapse of the riverside wall. Twelve people were rescued from nearby properties and approximately 120 residents evacuated.

Callum Shanks captured this picture of flooding in Castle Douglas using a drone.